A/N: Wooowww I'm actually getting started shortly after I post. . My last post was waaay long, but never fear, if you want it shorter, shorter it will be! that's why it only gets like one review Hahaha. But all my reviewers are so nice… (dabs eye with tissue)

Not like anyone's waiting with bated breath anything…

Er…never mind.

So, Recognition goes where it is due….

Emri Wow, you're such an awesome reviewer! The third time you've read this? 00 wow! I was almost going to make that happen…then he didn't because… I DON'T KNOW! AHH!

Griever Weapon I'm writing more…are you sure you'll die if I stop? Well, I guess it's best not to take the risk! Soo…I guess I'm going to write away now?

Neko-Yuff16 I love that feeling of being famous, don't you? I'm happy I made my reviewers happy…..and Yes, I have seen, downloaded, and saved every picture/animation/movie related to Advent Children. - Bwahaha. I know, everyone is almost sexy! Cid is not old, he's like 34.

Sorceress Fujin (bows) of course there's more

Banana Peel Your name rocks. haha it was superb? Awesome! I'm so glad! I'm sooo happy everyone enjoys what I write. It really boosts my already over-inflated ego! Bwahaha!

Part 5

11:07 p.m Midgar Ruins Fifth Plate, Upper Level. ShinRa Bar.

Tifa sighed gently as she set herself away from the piano keys, pushing the stool back along the carpet ever so gently. Tiny indentations in the soft, velvety floor cover showed the path her feet took along with the stool. Standing, Tifa gently brought a hand to her chest, just above her heart, listening to the soft steady beats as they pitter pattered against her rib cage. Sucking in a lungful of the permanently smoke filled air, she exhaled, lowering her eye lids exhaustedly as she stepped away from the grand piano. Turning, about to head back towards the bar to finish cleaning, she stopped in her tracks.

Eyes lifting up, she felt the heavy thump of a large hand touching her shoulder, her eyes catching sight of a deep rich purple shirt. Eyes trailing upwards, following the gentle lines that were etched into the thin cloth, she stopped when the cloth abruptly ended, showing off the man's neck. A gentle hand, forefinger extended, tipped her chin upwards the last bit of the trip upwards. From the well defined muscles, to the tanned skin, adams apple, chin, admittedly well formed, lips, straight nose, up into those incredible mako blue eyes. Sucking another breath as best she could, shallow, more as a pant would be, Tifa's eyes locked, wine upon the blue that challenged even Costa De Sol's beautiful Caribbean waters in brilliant shocking color, Cloud's eyes.

"Cloud-" She tried, though it came out more of a broken gasp then the controlled way she had meant it. "I-you…you didn't hear me, did you?" Tifa said, embarrassed, hoping, though she knew it was impossible, that he had not heard her declaration of love within the words of the song. "I heard you alright" He said, smirking, the kind that you would want to smack off though you knew you never would, never wanting to mar the perfect complexion. Tifa felt the blush burning her cheeks, could feel the heat as it warmed her slightly cool skin. "heh….I'm-embarrassed." she finished lamely, a more Cloud-like verse than he himself usually spoke.

"I noticed…" was the only reply as he blinked, reopening his eyes, letting the lids stand at half mast like hers did. She felt her face practically burst into flames as he stared at her with that quiet intensity, the kind she had always secretly longed for, though she'd die if anyone ever knew. Smiling more broadly, the black gloved hand, strong and large, that had tilted her chin previously, snaked upwards, cupping her cheek. She felt his thumb brush over the sensitive skin just below her eyes, where her dimples were usually most prominent when she laughed, stroking softly. "So…" he whispered softly, his face nearing hers. "You going to tell me who you were singing about, Miss Lockh-"

Suddenly, a loud pounding alerted the two, the sound of metal clanging against the reinforced steel door of the 'office branch headquarters', effectively breaking the two apart. Pushing away from Cloud, Tifa hurried to the door, unbolting it, unchaining, turning the dead bolt, unlocking the door, using the security key, pulling the heavy steel open. Rain pelted her face as the wind blew angrily, gusting terribly, the slightly acidic scent of traffic and water permeating through the room. Stepping back, Tifa gasped, and Cloud moved quickly to her side.

Cloak billowing into the room, each step a loud thunk of metal upon carped strewn concrete, Vincent Valentine made an overdue appearance. Yuffie was held betwixt his arms, one covered with a simple black, fingerless glove, the other in a demonic claw. Her eyes were shut, brows pulled down, her face contorted into one of agonizing pain as Vincent pulled them both from the rain, lightning clashing, thunder crashing overhead. "Vincent thank god you're both-oh my! Yuffie!" She suddenly cried out, noticing the tattered shards of the girls shirt back, the slightly pink and red scars that ran like welts down her the paled skin. "What happened to her!" She gasped as Cloud quickly shut the door behind Vincent as he stepped further in, sopping wet, dripping the brackish water upon the ground.

"Not now," Vincent dismissed her with those two swift words, "We must get her to a bed first. Bring pain medication as well Tifa…then I'll tell you what happened." His voice, harsh and commanding, giving indication and further evidence that he still retained some of his Turk leadership qualities, spurred the brunette to quickly disappear into the bar, returning with a bottle of ibuprofen. "Cloud, bring some towels and meet me in 102-A, we'll set her up in there." She said, receiving a nod in return, each to their own mission.

No longer than ten minutes later, Vincent lay the girl upon the soft quilted cushion of the bed, turning her over so that she lay upon her stomach, the welt-like scars facing him, painful reminders of her sacrifice. Though using the full cure materia had been a last minute option, Vincent felt guilt pangs slowly claw at his heart, what was left of it anyways, remorse flooding his flaming eyes. "…ugh…"

Yuffie coughed against the pillow, still shuddering a bit from the pain. "…Vin….cent?" She called, feeling the gunman near her. He spoke quietly, though it seemed to echo within the cold silent room. "Yes, what is it?" She clutched the quilt beneath her, sucking in lungful of air raggedly. "My back…it's on fire…I hurts…Vinc-" with another cough, her fingers went limp, and she exhaled, laying limply upon the blankets. Rushing to her side, Vincent placed his forefinger and middle finger upon her neck, checking for a pulse.

She's okay… his mind breathed a sigh of relief, as he stood, adjusting his cloak. The pain must have been immense, to knock her out, his mind added in. Such a resilient little ninja, she had not even passed out during the battles in the Northern Crater, usually being the one to heal the party. Tifa rushed in shortly afterwards, and he had stood a few feet away, watching as the brunette slowly ran her fingers over the cuts. "This isn't good Vincent." she said a few minutes later, turning to the gunman. "Well, it…" She thought for a few seconds, finding the right words to describe it. "It's like the blood beneath the skin doesn't know that the wound has healed over, and seems to want to escape." The younger woman looked to him for his decision, and he already knew what she intended to do. After a few moments, he nodded.

"Do what you need to do to heal the girl." Tifa cringed, and called Cloud in, watching him bring a few hot towels and a bowl of boiling water mixed with what smelled of disinfectant. Drawing a knife, she looked at Vincent. "This is going to be…bloody."

A/N: I know it's not much, but I felt I needed to post SOMETHING, you know? Besides…it was a good place to stop. - Review if you want to, constructive criticism is always appreciated. I just wanted a bit of the good 'ol Cloud and Tifa fluffy…somewhat. Soo..yeah. Now, shoo! Shoo! Go read something better while I watch the "State of The Union Address"